Spectacular images are guaranteed. © APA/afp / STEFANO RELLANDINI

Austrians are looking forward to pizza, pasta & la dolce vita

The return of the Olympics after the Asian editions to a place where winter sports are passionately rooted in tradition fills Austria's athletes with anticipation.

February 01, 2026

From: apa

The proximity to home, family and friends in the audience, as well as the prospect of magnificent mountain scenery and culinary delights, make everyone highly motivated to travel to the Winter Games in Italy. WATER They asked about pizza, pasta, and the good life. The conclusion: Food packages will stay home this time.

The COVID-19 Games are a thing of the past; in 2022, masks traveled to Beijing, but the emotional support stayed home. Double Olympic champion Anna Gasser had something extra in her luggage. "I'm a bit 'fussy,' as we say in Carinthia. I had food packages with me in Pyeongchang and Beijing." She can enjoy Italian cuisine with others, because unlike four years ago, the nations will be mixed again. "Actually, the Olympics are also about getting to know lots of people and sharing the Olympic experience together," the snowboarder said.

Cornelia Hütter is full of anticipation. © APA/afp / PATRICK T. FALLON

Alpine ski star Cornelia Hütter appreciates having the Olympics "practically on my doorstep, in the heart of skiing," yet she still has a minimal amount of excess baggage. "I'm really looking forward to the Italian food. But the pumpkin seed oil is coming with me." The Olympics are so close, in fact, that something can be overlooked in the packing frenzy. "Our coach said we can forget something at home, we can go and get it. It's not the end of the world," said ski cross racer Johannes Aujesky. Like many others, he suffered from the pandemic-affected 2022 Winter Games. "Corona kind of ruined the last Games; there was absolutely no atmosphere."

Cheese, espresso, and Aperol were also in demand.

Many people associate Dolce Vita with culinary and other pleasures as well as a lifestyle. "For me, Dolce Vita is sitting in a beautiful mountain hut with an Aperol Spritz and a view of the mountains," said slalom skier Katharina Truppe.

Stephan Embacher and Jan Hörl (right) are also looking forward to the games. © APA / GEORG HOCHMUTH

For ski jumper Jan Hörl, it has to be "spaghetti," while his teammate Stephan Embacher knows that "anything that's put on the table is good." Lisa Hirner is looking forward to "pizza and spaghetti," but wants to pay attention to a "balanced diet." Snowboard cross racer Pia Zerkhold, meanwhile, doesn't need to hold back. "I'm looking forward to pizza. You can really tuck into it. In boardercross, it's generally an advantage to have more muscle mass anyway."

Nordic combined skier Stefan Rettenegger knows that the pasta at the team hotel is "always al dente." For Thomas Rettenegger, the food is simply "a dream." Snowboard Olympic champion Alessandro Hämmerle has special memories. "In Chiesa in Valmalenco, I won a race and 40 kilograms of Parmesan cheese. That was one of the coolest prizes so far." His friends were allowed to sample it too.

Family and friends were there too.

Teresa Stadlober, a cross-country skier who enjoys shopping for pasta in Predazzo, is, like many others, looking forward to seeing "family, friends, and acquaintances." Skeleton racer and coffee lover Janine Flock sees it as the "icing on the cake" that "half of Rum, half of Tyrol will be at the track." For snowboarder Andreas Prommegger, it's a full circle: it all started in Italy in 2006, and it ends in Italy in 2026. "We're in one of the most beautiful spots in the world. It's also a wonderful cycling region. And this winter, these are the first Games my wife and children can attend. I couldn't imagine a better ending."

For Andreas Prommegger, things have come full circle. © APA / WOLFGANG JANNACH

Skier Mirjam Puchner also believes things will get "wild" when they enter the finish stadium. "It's a shame that ticket and accommodation prices are so exorbitant," the Salzburg native remarked, echoing the sentiments of many others. Ariane Rädler, who had set her sights on qualifying for Italy for this very reason, said she hadn't experienced any of the "Olympic flair" in Beijing. Luge athlete Selina Egle is hoping for "an incredible atmosphere." She added that it's a very special feeling to be able to celebrate with loved ones afterward, regardless of the outcome.

Proximity to home and panoramic views inspire

Giant slalom skier Stephanie Brunner knows that this will be her first and last time experiencing the Olympics so close to home. Snowboard Olympic champion Benjamin Karl agrees. "Having the Olympic Games on your doorstep is a privilege. I absolutely wanted to be there one more time." Giant slalom medal hopeful Julia Scheib says the proximity gives her "a different feeling," so "I appreciate that we're having them in Italy now, and I'm really looking forward to it."

Julia Scheib can hardly wait either. © APA / HELMUT FOHRINGER

The scenery in Cortina evokes particular enthusiasm among all those competing there. "Cortina is beautiful, the mountains blew me away the first time I was there. A wonderful place to be," said luger Lara Kipp. Her colleagues on the ice track share this sentiment.

One slight drawback is that the Winter Games are divided into six clusters, limiting the opportunity to watch other sports. Luge athlete Jonas Müller is still planning to do so, however. "If it works out, I'd love to. That's the cool thing about the Olympics, that you're not just in the luge circuit, but you live with other athletes in the Olympic Village and have the chance to watch other competitions."